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Go to http://rmhcrideforsickkidssa.com.au/ for more information on the RMHC Ride for Sick Kids SA

Friday 28 November 2014

A few Bumps!!

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 6 November 27th 2014 


Nurioopta to Hahndorf via a lunch stop by the river in Mannum.


Total Time 07:30:57, (One knows you have sat on a bike after a day like today!)


Total distance 190 kms (A stage not built for the fine Sprinting body of Mr Lucas and right up the Ally of Tweety bird Megan and King Karlo the magnificent).

 

Quote of the Day :  


Maximum Speed 58.7 kph (Sump Power again working its magic although the brake pads did get a fine workout).


Total Gain 1833m (My Garmin along with other parts of my body have just exploded).


Total calories spent : 3988, Time for a Big Mac Meal!


Heart rate : Average 135 bpm peaked at 166bpm Must have been picking up someone else's HR, as mine was left somewhere between Mannum and Hahndorf on the side of the road like roadkill.


A climbing stage and a nervous start for some, with the only commitments being a community event in hahndorf at 6.30pm and a quick get together with Mr Percival the pelican at Mannum for Lunch.

A massive day that I will have to wrap up on the weekend. So for now I will just have a photographic montage for you.


Mark B from Bike Society enjoying Family and his 40th B'Day.


Coldbeck having a nice Nanna nap.


The Mighty Sam Harper and Muscles Glenn

Mr Percival


Lunch at Mannum


Coldbeck having a Nanna nap


When Harry met Sammy


The mighty Sam Harper and Muscles Glenn


ALANALANALAN can you see me? Mojo


Well hello there Maillot Jaune Jami


Maverick & Diesel 


Blade


Good boy Jami


Men! (Mr Lucas, Geoff, Cotter & Mark)


Not Men! Whyalla Ryan, Tweety bird Megan & Karlo the Magnificent.


Men!



Wednesday 26 November 2014

Mark (Monty) Birkdales 40th Birthday (Friends,cycling,a pool, beer and Pizza)

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 5 November 26th 2014 


Clare to Nurioopta


Total Time 05:09:52,


Total distance 146.1 kms (An Sprinters stage and a nice roll before the HC stage of tomorrow's for boding  profile.

 

Quote of the Day :  Glenn Bowyer, for upon being told of his faux paux of a well intended sign that pointed riders to the refreshment box with cold frozen pure CO2 (photo attached), Glenn quickly retorted "I was never good at Geography!" Science was obviously a close second.


Maximum Speed 64.1 kph (Sump Power has some merit as the fat boys rolled away!)


Total Gain 853m (My Garmin is now not working and is giving dodgy numbers as those Strava has given up over 300 metres to some fellow riders).


Total calories spent : 2948, total calories consumed 3,000 with Pizza, tomorrow's going to hurt! 


Heart rate : Average 134 bpm peaked at 164bpm Sump Power recovery was the key. Heart rate peak of Nugget 188bpm, this was when he was stationary at an intersection and the oncoming car motive was looking like being a permanent imprint on him! Wouldn't want to be doing his laundry tonight.


Strava bites early as Diesel made the feeble excuse of helping out a teammate, Jami on his new Tarmac, to increase his kilometre total and take one step closer to the top of the Strava dias.

The day Started for the rest of us with a 5 minute stroll through Clare to the Clare Primary School for our third school visit of the tour and another bike to be given away from our friends at Bike society.
During the presentation, we often point out different riders for specific talents or physical prowess or lack thereof, on this particular morning Nugget was called up during part of the bike safety talk, and no sooner had we called him nugget, that quick as a flash a fifth grader yelled "Mmmm Chicken Nugget?" (This was obviously from an aspirational future tour rider as he already has the required humour box ticked)

From Clare we headed towards Adelaide and only within 90kms of our destination, yet we still had 400kms to go on our SA odyssey.  We winded our way through the majestic Clare wine region and onto sevenhill, where an early morning burst saw Mr Lucas carve up the formidable Nugget, as Nugget was starting the day with heavy legs but still a Heart rate merely touching 100bpm.
On through Auburn and then a couple of small climbs when Megan discovered the true advantage of "Sump Power" as the big men rolled effortlessly down the descent and the Megan, who's shoes probably weigh more than her had little chance of overcoming sump power in all its glory. Unfortunately this is the only time sump power has any advantage whilst cycling and the long climb tomorrow up Palmer Hill will not have the holders embracing sump power with the same affection!

A fantastic roll along the flats along to Balaklava where a strange conversation ensued between Sammy 1 & Sam 2, with the former asking to both D2 and Mr Lucas' bewilderment how his balls were? Strange question I thought for a young lady to ask a bloke whilst he has just spent 4 1/2 days smashing his proverbials on nothing more than a slither of hard leather over some of roughest roads we could find? Surely she asked how his bottles were and I had miss heard? As the reply was even more puzzling to both myself and D2 from Sam, They're ok but i don't think i have them in the right way???????? What was going on here, what is the right way to put them in I thought?
As D2 turned and looked as confused as I did, we were to discover that the question was as we had heard it, and whilst there was a perfectly reasonable explanation it was not as amusing as what had just transpired.  Thanks to the two Sam's for helping pass the time.

Balaklava was the scene of Muppet mishaps and some bullets dodged with the fantastic support crew having a couple of clangers!
Firstly the CO2 incident with Glenn and then the Lambasting of Chloe by Paramedic Pete, trying vehemently for an unprecedented Hat trick of Muppet awards on one tour, for the requirement process of drug control on the medical car to be properly secured and locked.  This was being said as Stacey stood by the clearly open boot of the vehicle in question, (this appeared to be an exercise in deferring the appointed suspicion from the already depleted drug stocks). After several minutes of the situation escalating to a verbal stoush from across the road and spectators starting to line the streets to what was sure to become an all out brawl, Chloe eventually managed to relay the crucial piece of the pie in this argument, that the open boot of the vehicle Stacey was standing by was not hers at all and her car, that she had moved only moments before was indeed securely locked!

Out of Balaklava and a familiar stretch of road for those that had been on the first tour and Mrs Wind decided to come back for this stretch with the front six working hard to keep the pace up as we headed for the sleepy hamlet of Freeling with not much more but Two pubs, the Gungellan pub being the pub in McLeods Daughters, in it for Lunch.

The pack was looking tired at the lunch break, so much so that we turned to find the newly born Andy Coldbeck back in the foetal position for some strange reason? See attached photo.

A fine Gumby on the outback girl was lucky only to cost her an RMHC fine although doubled for being on the left leg and not a muppet award.
 
For the past 3 years we have referred to the ride as the RMHC Ride for sick kids SA, however an inform Tex has seen the ride take a turn and soon to renamed the Darren Walker ride for Darren Walker!  The Tarantula on wheels can be seen on video to the tune "Im too sexy for myself", with his big bobble head bouncing from side to side and hamming it up to camera placed on the back of Blades bike for nearly 15 mins, oblivious to anything else but ensuring he was the feature act and the entire crew would have to endure the performance at team briefing.
When asked by Diesel how he was travelling at the lunch break, Tex replied, "Not too bad, considering I'm carrying such a big head!" Its all about the Tex.........Just ask him:-)

We pushed on from Mcleods Daughters hometown with the full knowledge of the acutely accurate garmin elevations, that we still had some metres to be gained before arriving at Nurioopta.
The Peloton looked after everyone for the last 30 ams of the day and we gleefully made our way to the Vines Hotel and made our way to the pool for a team dinner, some Birthday celebrations and Pizza and team briefing.

I just lost the fight of duelling Flatulence with the Master Jedi, Nugget, beating me at this also! Is there nothing this man cannot do?

Muppet award : Karlo the cat for enigma like qualities and chopping of partners wheel whilst leading the Peloton.
Dishonourable mentions : Tex for being a camera hugging bobble head, and for enticing Andy Coldbeck as a yellow jersey winner to reveal one of his mammary glands to the go pro on the back of Blades saddle.

Malliot Jaune : Jami Hodge (Elbows) for embracing the ride in all its spirit from day one 3 years ago, this includes purchasing multiple bikes from Team Bike Society during the process and through family adversity rode 150 ams solo to join us on the tour this year. Truly inspirational effort twinkles.

Now to bed, as tomorrow brings some of my favourite things in a 200 km ride and a couple of thousand metres of climbing.  

We look forward to arriving in Hahndorf for the community event and with only one day to ride after that the emotions will be high.

Good night and good reading.

Mr Lucas. 





The Moment a Studious Nugget discovered the early morning escapade of Diesel!


Guess what we are doing?


Half of the empty bottles from the Specialized crew.


Spot the Geography mistake!


Food of an elite athlete......Just ask him.


Food of Blade and Mr Lucas


The moment the Muppet may have been decided?


How on earth does one get a Gumby on the front of their left leg. 
Honourable Muppet mention.


Not long out of the womb for coldbeck?


The pack at lunch in Freeling, SA


Tex and Diesel relaxing at lunch in Freeling, SA.


comfortable recliner & a Nice Bike, Freeling SA.


Karlo the cat in Freeling SA

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Day 4 of the RMHC Ride for sick kids SA Alpe d'huez

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 4 November 25th 2014

Total Time 05:53:54,

Total distance 166.2 kms (An intermediate stage for some and a HC Alpe d'huez day for Mr Lucas!)

 

Quote of the Day :  Must Have been something Tex said.....Just ask him!


Maximum Speed 65.9 kph (Was recorded as the machine Cotter whipped down into Clare and Mr Lucas was just hanging on to the wheel after capitulating on Alpe d'huez!).


Total Gain 1063m (My Garmin now believes I am using it in the plane!).


Total calories spent : 3,565, total calories consumed 3,564 so the weight should be flying off?.


Heart rate : Average 136 bpm peaked at 166bpm as Cotter chuckled in my ear as he watched me struggle with the Tarmac stuck on 52/23 and just prior to me being motionless was kind enough to make the required barrel adjustment.


I have just had to leave the room for a moment as I have just discovered that the @#$% that comes out of Tex's backside is indeed worse than that from his mouth!  

Just checked Harry hasn't been asphyxiated with the green stench cloud that is now hovering in room 29! as of a result of the rear explosion from Tex.

Average Speed 28.2 kph Great job again from the formidable rolling five at the front including the newly crowned Andy Coldbeck who stepped up to the plate (no pun intended) and after a horrific european cycling accident that hospitalised him, he is back fighting fit, and don't we love having him back for his second tour. 

A nice quiet sleep with Sammy Harper my roomy as quite as a mouse and with no trumpet blowing snozzes in the room we both drifted off into a blissful sleep.

After a great Brekky in The Waikerie Hotel we had a few minutes ride to the Waikerie primary school for our second school visit and our first outdoor presentation.
With the kids playing cricket out on the surface prior to the presentation, Mojo stepped out of the dark to take the bat.  A few others joined for what had now become an impromptu international game.
As the seven year old came running in to bowl a beamer at the hapless looking mojo, who was holding the bat in the same manner that one would with an intruder in the house, he immediately dispatched the ball over the square fence for six and out!
After having shown and impressing the seven year olds with his international batting prowess, Mojo then decided his luck with the ball in hand....................he should have stopped after the six.  It pains me to watch video of our then Prime Minister Little Johnny Howard attempting to roll his arm over on the wicket that history shows,  but without doubt the ball produced by Mojo to the amusement of the seven year olds made John Howard look like a cricket player!!

With the kids settled down and the crew settling in with them it soon became obvious that this was not the first school visit for Tex, as with a pocketful of lollies soon was enveloped by adoring fans.

The same blunder young Harr Harr had made leaving Renmark,  he was to replicate today as Harr Harr once again produced a room key that would be of no use to him in Clare! To the Muppet goes the award!

The Waikerie school kids were well versed in bike safety and RMHC and gave us a very generous donation for the cause.  Another guard of honour as we road out and down to the banks of the Murray and on our way to Clare.

The wind had gladly decided that round 2 would not be today after having a marginal points decision in its favour from yesterday, and we enjoyed a brisk trip down through Cadell and onto the Morgan Ferry.  It is by now after having crossed many bridges and ferries in our first 4 days that Karlo is a little confused still with how many rivers there actually are down south!  The answer to your question karlo is it is the Murray.

A small climb out of the beautiful Hamlet of Morgan where many a fine family have resided for their summer holidays and we pushed on along the very scenic Morgan-Burra road. 
With the occasional road kill odour emanating from a dead carcass on the side of the road the only thing breaking the monotony of the road that just keeps going and going.
The wind was still being somewhat more favourable than yesterday and with Blade nonchalantly riding up past the peloton to help put together his Scorsese masterpiece on video, there was a sudden burst of energy as we found our Mojo (no not Mohan) and the pace was on with Blade made to work out to reach the Peloton as it nudged 45kmh on a small incline.  When Stifler was asked what Bade had said when he finally rejoined the Breakaway, the response was 'Not Much'! For future reference the two on the front handing out the punishment to our illustrious leader was Tex and Nugget!

The fabulous support crew had managed to find a morning stop out of nothing to pamper and feed the riders.  Fantastic job to all of the support crew and thank you from all the Peloton, everything you guys do is very much appreciated and makes life for us that much easier and at times bearable on the road.  So three cheers for the support crew, Chloe (administrator of everything, including an attempt to recreate a Waikerie Bakery masterpiece cake for Megans birthday which had arrived a week early, with a trio of supermarket cakes and some half a ton of buttered icing!), Foxy Lady in the lost lead car accompanied by the other lost navigator cackling Linda with the magic masseuse hands, Paramedic Pete, Stacey and her drug loaded vehicle of which  she hasn't been needing to use it on any riders must have been enjoying them herself, as the investigation into stock loss continues.  Glenn Muscles Bowyer who has now added filling our still attached Biddons with water and powerade at each break to his list, although on the second day this did manage to dehydrate Sammy as she discovered this whilst on her bike taking her 5k refreshment and could not consume any liquid as she doesn't drink powerade! Better add that to the list as well Glenn.  Alanalanalanalanalan the studious bus driver who still has no idea why the entire team uses his name in this manner to gain his attention, and Geoff who has either passed us 500 times with the specialised van or I have indeed bought too many bikes from Cotter and Monty and their marketing vans are spread far and wide across the State.  Geoff is relentless in pursuit of the perfect photo and continues to be creative with both video and stills, if only he would include a fundamental principal of a great shot by getting one in focus we would be ok! and Edwina the Emu for all her work looking after and doting on Maverick and helping all the support crew and riders too. All of you are doing an outstanding job and thank you.  Actually I have only written this folly for your benefit as you informed me you are reading this along the way!! 

From the morning break we had a long ride to a late lunch in Burra and and there is nothing more to say about that, other than the potential ring fight of Nugget V Kangaroo, as the Peloton was about 5k's from Lunch the reflection off of Nuggets partially covered skull must have startled not so little Skippy and as his second attempt to bail over the fence failed his escape path was looking imminently similar to ours.  Luckily for the Peloton, Nugget is versed in the fine linguistics of the Australian marsupial and with a dominating male Bark saved the peloton from a closer encounter with him.  Thanks Nugget!

Finally into Burra and we made our way down to the Burra creek edge and enjoyed a relaxing roll and coke (thanks Sean).  Well all but one as Tex became the residents ducks family favourite new friend and as the rest of the crew erupted in raucous laughter as it had appeared that Duck was soon to be on the menu for Tex.  As we were enjoying the spectacle of this duck foray, it dawned on me just how big these creatures must have appeared to Andy as he attempted to move them away from his lunch also.

!24 km's down and only 22 left in the day, we made the small climb out of Burra (This is small for the benefit of most of the peleton, whereas D2 (Darren Millar) reminded me that a speed hump would register as climb for myself.
We had a good next 20kms with only one mechanical for Whyalla Ryan when some descension passed over the front six with Nugget tapping out 40kms as Ryan was being wheeled back by Cotter. As the front six was well ahead of me, I was not privy to conversation that had transpired, only that the Testosterone Hill that was looming had already engorged the testicles of the rivalling males vying for Strava glory, and the conversation was above an MA audience.

The last 10 k's included two, what Nugget would call rises and the tempo had lifted to stretch the tired legs of those competing against each other for the KOM of the Flarrell Flat (Stupid name btw) climb into Clare.  I meanwhile was hoping that the Oxygen bottle that I had seen on the drive up to Mildura in Paramedic Pete's car, had not been emptied and would be available at my earliest convenience.  This only for the lofty Altitude that I had now found myself and not for the obvious peak physical fitness I was in! I can't repeat what I said to Nugget around the pool here sorry on this topic.

We rolled to Testosterone Hill start line, it appeared that my oestrogen levels had an all time high as I was quickly enveloped by all the Peloton and they were off.
As they all made their way up the first little climb of the day and the glory of KOM (Monty - dq again as a lead rider and the spoils went to the Firefighter Karlo) and QOM for a clean Broken Hill sweep went to Megan.  I limped over the crest just before being caught by a local solo rider who had a sump as large as mine after being hobbled by Cotter and my absent peak physical fitness.

Sucking the wheel of Cotter on the descent we had made into the Wine region town of Clare and a welcome to the Clare Comfort Motel and enjoyed the best on tour meal that had been kindly cooked and donated by the Lions club crew of Clare and some delectable curried eggs and Australian champion Snags and BBQ chicken, and topped off with homemade dessert.  The perfect way to finsh the day although it could have been a few degrees warmer as Jami (Elbows) was having difficulty eating his dessert whilst shivering like Michael J Fox.
Incidentally, Jami had ridden a solo ride from Adelaide of 150ks to join us at Clare, albeit without sunscreen, a fantastic effort and we are glad he can join us for the remainder of the tour.

In a controversial decision, the High court of one (Blade), has quashed all team appeals and in the cycling equivalent of a Bradbury moment has reversed the Team Time Trial award and handed it to the team with the slowest time, Team Nugget, for merely making it to the finish line! A win nonetheless as hollow as it is, that was happily accepted by the Zimmerframes!

Off to bed and another school visit in the morning and a sleep in as we make our way through to the Barossa another wine region of SA and Nurioopta with 144 km's awaiting us and just under 1000 metres of elevation.

Love to all our families whom without this event would not be possible.

A special hello and hugs and kisses to my family Katherine, Jackson, Tayla and Spencer, miss you all.
Dad.

Mr Lucas


lollygate!!!


Relaxing at Renmark Riverside


Coldbeck joins the Tour!


The Lovely Overland Hotel


The Duck foray at Burra





Monday 24 November 2014

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 3 Annus Horribillis for a day!

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 3 November 24th 2014


Total Time 05:07:42,


Total distance 137.9 kms (Felt like 200 k's with the wind being not so kind to peloton)

 

Quote of the Day : Nugget, "The day we took a knife to a gun fight against the wind" 



Maximum Speed 51.5 kph (Was recorded just prior to Team Cotter sitting up during the Team Time trial so that Megan could have the win on her Birthday, as quoted by Team Captain Stifler himself).


Total Gain 660 metres (My Garmin is unfamiliar with such altitude).


Total calories spent : 2616 so a few less snakes allowed today.


Heart rate : Average 137.9 bpm peaked at 177bpm as Cotter took to the front during the team time trial, meanwhile checking nuggets Strava results, he had maintained an even 110 bpm as his team managed a respectable place on the dias with a bronze, this could have also been gained by their appearance at the start line as only three teams had participated!




Average Speed 26.9 kph Great job by emaciated Tex and crew that took the brunt of the brutal winds. Although a quick check on some video footage, and the keen working eye of Nugget had discovered Tex's (or Diwaan's) effort had been overshadowed by his half wheeling of Blade's protective cover up front!



A Little more from last night to begin with :

Diesel, Alan, and myself managed to get the past the cacophony of sound eminating from the snufulufugus that had found its way into our room in the shape of Geoff and finally rolled off to sleep!!

It was also remiss of me to tell the story of Tex's small dilemma.
The Train spotting sequel was ready to take place yesterday with Tex knocking at the back door on a rough verge for 25ks after lunch before we reached the much anticipated Caltex, where Tex legged it to the amenities and happily destroyed them instead of his fellow peleton!

The morning started quite humorously, with the Strava challenge closing in on its final week.
Diesel must have been woken by the cackling Hyena from room 222, (also known as the resident masseuse Linda, at the crack of dawn as he met the morning sun with a few extra k's to topple Tex off his Strava pedestal. (yet to be loaded to ensure Tex doesn't know what will be required in the final days, and we are all aware that Strava never lies!)

That would be about as funny as the next couple of hours would be, with the ride out of Renmark and towards our first Primary school visit for this years tour meant working our way into another head crosswind and not much reprieve for those taking the wind.  Nugget stepped up to the plate in an attempt to secure some employment with the Golden Arches in Chelsea Heights by giving me some nice protection.

Having made it to the Loxton Primary school in time to have a relax and chat with the teachers, the group were ready for their first school presentation and bike giveaway courtesy of our friends at bike society.
I must say that the kids at Loxton Primary would have to be up there as the most knowladgeble kids on both RMHC & bike safety, somehow this message was not absorbed by young Sammy as she made an early effort for the muppet award.

We left the school with a massive line of honour by all 360 children of the school and even Glenn Muscles Bowyer got in the action with his rendition of chariots of fire as he ran sown the line giving out high fives! Good on you Muscles.  We have footage of all the riders doing their parade although without the flash on Wake up Geoff's camera it appears that no historical footage has been found of Mojo!

As we rolled on from the school and turned straight back into headwind, it always amazes us of the support and words of encouragement we get from locals.  On this occasion a fine young gentleman having seen us fight our way into the headwind, decided we all needed to know that the upcoming prevailing wind forecast was only going to get stronger today!!
"Thank you" are the words I believe were conveyed back to the young mans weather report by Nugget?

Unfortunately the local had been spot on with his weather prediction and we were to be fighting the wind as headed along the beautiful banks of the Murray towards Waikerie.

We had some reprieve as we again felt like cyclists as we had finally the pleasure of a tailwind, albeit a minor reprieve.
Lunch was not too far away and the tired legs and arms of the Peloton were counting down the k's for a well deserved rest.  And what a rest we got, as we came across the fantastic little Overland hotel hidden away on the bend of the Murray that Blade had discovered by the google and we were well looked after by publican Phil with soy decaf coffee's (without the soy or decaf), but some great lamb and chicken wraps and a history lesson on the Chambers built hotel that included Ned Kelly!  Fantastic lunch and just what was required as we now only had a short 14k ride to the start of our RMHC R4SK's SA 15k Time Trial, and then a short 6 k ride back to the newly refurbished Waikerie Hotel.

If you get the chance go and visit the Overland as it is a lovely little place, with great hospitality and food, thanks very much Phil. :-)

And to the not so much anticipated Team Time Trial at the end of a horrid riding day.
With much banter and team tactics being orchestrated at the start line, we were all in agreeance that we would casually ride out the 15k stretch to get everyone home...............but as the gun went and the scrabble of the first team left the start it was clear that there was some chest beating awards being handed out at the end amongst the Team captains?

True to his Machine form, Stifler of team Cotter marshalled his troops like a commander in general and punched out a scintillating pace for the first half of the time trial, however as soon as the fast approaching backs of Team Monty that had left 3 mins earlier were upon us, he gracefully sat up and said "guys, remember its Megan's Birthday today!" and with that we pulled over for a nature stop, changed two front tubes and got back on our way.
Great work team Cotter of Stifler, Diesel, Ryan, Sammy and Mr Lucas.

This gave hope to the hapless frivolity of team we can't win Nugget, as it appeared to them that they had intact gained on team Cotter and were in with a chance, before the Mojo of Mojo Mohan was no more and Handbrake Harry had done himself proud.

This was Cotter's birthday gift to Megan and a more humble gesture you would not find in the heat of battle. Happy Birthday Megan.

So that only left a small ride down to Waikerie and across the ferry to the lovely Waikerie Hotel and a great feed and our nightly presentation.

No Crouton and Diwan were eventually found at the table for their meals with some confusion that 'no crouton' had infact joined the tour? to be identified later as Maverick and D 1.

Team time trial goes to Team Mark, as we sat up for Megan's Birthday and Team Nugget sat up because they were no good!



As the Maillot Jaune went to the very much deserving support crew on the road, Stacey, Foxy & the cackling Hyena Linda, the resident photographer had fallen asleep only to be woken from his slumber by the endearing call of 'wake up Geoff'!



Muppet award goes to Sammy for completely disregarding the bike safety talk in front of the Loxton primary school and proceeded to ride around the school yard Helmetless!

Early night and a sleep in as we are off for our second school visit in Waikerie in the morning before we punch out 166 kms hopefully with more favourable wind conditions, as we make our way to lovely town of clare via Morgan and Burra.

Night all.

Mr Lucas.


Sunday 23 November 2014

Day 2 RMHC Ride for sick kids SA

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 2 November 23rd 2014

Total Time 06:00:23,

Total distance 175.7 kms (Once again we see Strava getting the best of Tex, and an additional lap down Mildura's main street and a couple more hot laps when we arrived in Renmark, as the rest of the team had made their way to rooms and the showers ensured that Tex sits at the top of the leaderboard).

Maximum Speed 61.2 kph (once again only recorded on Mr Lucas's Garmin and achieved on specialized S-Works)

Total Gain 454 metres (Another Mountainous stage for some).

Total calories spent : 3343 and with the aid of the now Muppeteer,Stacey We were unable to consume the required quantities of lollies.  Stacey had indeed helped the trapped lollies from their impending doom, and scattered them indiscriminantly onto the ground! It did allow us to hear the shrill shriek of the Cassowary, as Bade discovered this unfortunate disaster.


Heart rate : Average 135 bpm with the well placed stop ensuring that Paramedic Pete's defib was not required after letting nugget stretch his legs on the front of the peleton.


Average Speed 29.2 kph Kept up by the yellow jersey Ryan, Monty, Nugget, the Cassowary, half of the old Tex, Wayne, and Karlo. Well done guys.


This morning we packed up from Mildura and the Grand Hotel and after ensuring I had the appropriate footwear on was only to discover that footwear on the second breakfast morning was deemed optional?!

All were up bright and early and ready to roll by 6.50am as we rolled away from Mildura and began to click down the k's to Adelaide in earnest.

A slight head/cross wind welcomed us for the first 30 k's as the peleton sorted itself out and we were making good progress through the 176km day.

An uneventful morning ride and a stop at the most rural pub in Vic and we ventured closer to the SA border and what some were hoping to be as smooth a roads and kind wind as we had now been getting. That was until the Stacey had made a sprawling mass of congealed glucose on the ground behind the team car! Muppet award nomination!

After the glucose disaster, we made our way further West towards the lovely Renmark with a Lunch break and some toilet amenities with the native fauna awaited.
Unfortunately for our resident Police Officer, the native fauna had left its mark in a place where an unwitting Officer managed to place his cleated foot directly onto said excrement.  This not only created a very familiar and un warranted odour amongst the Lunch shelter and food, but Wayne was not happy that he had effectively completed his duties, and after meticulously cleaning his riding shoes, proceeded to place his now unshod foot directly into the the same faeces! Not a happy camper.
Gesture award goes to Mojo Mohan for going and retrieving his own spare socks so that Wayne could now ride in the middle of the peleton without offending anyone.

The lovely smooth bitumen of the Vic roads were much appreciated by those that were not riding on the verge.  The occasional bump was all that was endured by some with those on the inside were buffeted around and shaken like a good Martini, much to the amusement of the yellow jersey holder and myself.  Sorry Wayne and Megan. :-(

The large Dunlop tyre loomed above the road ahead as we made our way to the fruit fly quarantine area. (I would just like to reiterate to Chloe, that having a banana in the house and a common house fly, does not constitute having 'Fruit Fly')
As Harry was being detained for potentially hiding vast quantities of Fruit on his person, we made our way for a team photo and the last 16 k roll into Renmark.

The Cassowary had conveniently booked the only 3 story building in town for us and the support crew to now trudge our way up to our rooms after 176 km's on the bike!

We now said goodbye to four of our two day riders in Mara, Shaun, Evan and Wayne, and thank them for their efforts over the last two days and their fundraising efforts leading up to the tour.  Thank you guys and girls and we look forward to having you extend your rides in the future.

I did see a glimpse of a little fella that is to join us from tomorrow for the remainder of the ride, either that or Gargamel had once again allowed one of those little blue creatures escape?  We will find out more tomorrow.

A big community night was put on by the Adelaide house at the Renmark Hotel, and  with celebrity talent in Crows player Daniel Talia and Journalist extraordinaire  Craig 'Hutchy' Hutchinson gracing us with their presence a great night was had with families and friends of the house present.  Thanks guys.

A shorter day awaits if the weather is kind for Monday and our first School visit at Loxton Primary school, should be a great day.  It is apparently a flat stage?

Maillot Jaune : Sam Harper and very well deserved from a guy who has only just jumped on a bike this year!

Muppet : For a record breaking two times in a single tour goes to Paramedic Pete

Thats it for now, speak to you all tomorrow.  Goodnight. :-)

Mr Lucas


Saturday 22 November 2014

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 1 November 22nd 2014

RMHC Ride for Sick Kids Day 1 November 22nd 2014

Total Time 04:11:05,

Total distance 121.2 kms (For those that are competing for Strava glory, an extra few laps around Maccas and another few k's when we had got back to the hotel, completed 133k's for the day. The wise ol nugget has warned those that have found themselves addicted to the perils of Strava, "Do not let Strava run your life"!

Maximum Speed 50.8 kph (once again only achieved on specialized S-Works)

Total Gain 328 metres (A flat stage for most).

Total calories spent : (not enough to burn off the total food consumption Mr Lucas has had since the last tour!)

Heart rate : Its still going, so we are happy with that.

Average Speed 29 kph (walk in the park for emaciated Tex and Mark (Monty Burns) Birkendale.

Early start today with Brekky commencing at 5.30 am and most making their way to the well stocked buffet of the Grand Hotel Mildura.  (One must remember to wear the appropriate foot ware when entering the Breakfast room in future).

Almost all but the Diesel and Mara made the designated start point on time and the weather gods were looking favourably upon us, or so we thought?

A gentle pace was led out by Tex and the heavy lifters of the peleton, before a nice tailwind and Maverick rolled to the front, and in his fervent desire to procure the yellow jersey for an unprecedented second time, the pace steadily rose.  Although anyone perched high on the saddle of an S-Works machine could do little more than freewheel along as the weather gods were indeed smiling.

As the tourist board of Dareton went into overdrive after the annual numbers had seen a sudden influx with the Peleton passing through towns that looked very similar to those that we had already passed through, only from the opposite direction!

With the Lead car now running on fumes as Foxy had not realised that driving the lead vehicle also required it to have fuel, this was not helped in anyway by the navigating possum in the passenger seat.  We crossed the border into NSW and almost had time for young Ryan to have a flutter and look after the coffers of the Bike society crew, we made our way to the picturesque setting on the banks of the Murray and the Murray Darling and fed ourselves and some very unfortunate looking ducks.

Back on the bikes, and time to head back to Mildura for our community welcome in the Mall.
With Tex now riding without a right ear, as this had been unceremoniously chewed off from his mate Maverick still trying to secure the coveted yellow jersey.
With a slight head/crosswind for the trip home nugget marshalled his troops and we headed back from whence we had come.

A quick stop at Irymple Maccas, or so it was meant to be as the Muppet award was most certainly sewn up by the resident Ace Pilot Maverick, as he had passed his riding shoes over to Geoff to put new cleats on with only 5 k's to ride? The slightly longer wait, allowed Tex and Diesel to do a few extra laps around the carpark for Strava glory in Novemebr.

Another Maccas to visit in Mildura and then rolled off to the Mildura mall for a fantastic welcome by the City of Mildura albeit 500 metres from us arriving the heavens opened and very wet entrance was made. :-(

We have a few riders doing two days with us this tour, but it appeared that a visit from The Biggest Loser Commando, almost meant we were having Megan for only the first day, as they both were missing when we went to leave, apperently both "shopping"!

First day of riding done, and back to base safely for a relaxing afternoon for all, with the pool and a few ales and time to catch up and chat with new and old riders.

Quote of the Day : Mojo Mohan 

As Mojo enjoyed the sunraysia sun and a dip in the rather cool pool, he noticed the young Tex sunning himself on a pool bed and deeply enjoying his novel 'Fifty Shades of Grey' i believe, he turned to pale white Tex and said "No matter how much you try mate, you will never have a tan like mine!" I will attach a photo of Mojo for the visual gag that he was pretty happy to have just expressed.

Maillot Jaune : Ryan Trezise

The quiet and un assuming Ryan, was awarded the yellow jersey for outstanding contribution to not only Stifler at Bike Society, but to the ride and fundraising efforts and the sheer enjoyment he seems to have on the road.

Muppet : Maverick Justine Bruce

Many honourable mentions throughout the day from people walking into the wrong gender toilets, fuel deficiencies in vehicles, but the winner was Mr Cleats having held up the Peleton for no apparent reason!

Thats all folks, with tomorrow seeing us ride 176kms from Mildura to Renmark with a community event on there.

All our love to Family and Friends and supporters of the ride, Thank you.

Mr Lucas